Becoming a Personal Trainer: Insights from Fitness Veteran Rick Richey (Re-Run)

(Originally aired 2022) Ever wondered what it takes to become a personal trainer? To help answer that, we recently sat down with fitness industry veteran, Rick Richey from the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), who enlightened us with his nearly two-decade journey in the fitness world. From his early days as a martial arts enthusiast through to becoming a key figure at the renowned NASM, Rick's insights provide an engaging and revealing exploration of the fitness industry. He reveals the ins and outs of personal training certifications, comparing his own experiences with the ACSM Health Fitness Instructor exam and NSCA content.

Nutrition and its integral role in fitness also takes center stage in our conversation with Rick. We discuss the nuanced approach NASM takes in teaching about nutrition, emphasizing that trainers should empower their clients with knowledge, rather than dictate their eating habits. Trainers, says Rick, can use a client-centric approach to help clients make their own decisions and live their own life. This empowering perspective is one that every aspiring fitness professional should take note of. 

As we wrap up our enlightening chat, education becomes the focal point. Rick shares his views on the importance of teaching people self-efficacy and how to move on their own - a critical part of personal training. We also delve closer into NASM's accreditation process, providing a behind-the-scenes look at how fitness education certification works. As a special takeaway, Rick shares his mantra of being a lifelong learner in the fitness industry, a message that resonates throughout our conversation and indeed, throughout the fitness industry as a whole.

Support the Show.